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29 |Autumn|

"Aubrey?" I whisper against the pale door, heart still pounding from all that's just occurred. My heart breaks for my friend. She didn't deserve to be betrayed. She's such a sweet person who's been through hell, and Rachel had to run over her fragile heart.

No answer from Aubrey.

I gently knock, and her answering sob nearly breaks my heart. My fingers grasp the doorknob, but it doesn't budge. So, I knock again, more urgently this time.

"Just- leave me," Aubrey sniffs. 

"Aubrey, what she did isn't your fault. It's not your fault that she's a horrible person, and you didn't deserve to be betrayed. But, it's okay. You have us as your friends. And, one day, you'll find that special someone. You'll find someone that makes you happy and doesn't stomp on your heart."

I hear her crying. "T-This is all my fault! If I hadn't been so stupid-" She's cut off by a sob escaping her. "I don't deserve anything."

"You deserve the world," I tell her. 

"What have I done to deserve it?

"So much. If you hadn't been there when I woke up from that coma, I don't know what I would have done. You were so nice to me. And, you still are. You've risked so much to help me, to help all of us. Please don't let Rachel break you. You're stronger than this, Aubrey. Please open the door."

Silence. Then, the door opens to reveal my friend's tear-soaked face. Her eyes meet my own, then look at my arm and widen.

"Autumn, you're hurt," she mutters. "Your arm."

There is a slash in my arm, and a bit of blood has dried around it and run down my arm. Jeremy must've caught me with his knife, but I didn't even notice. I simply shrug in response to my friend's worry, then offer her a small smile. She returns it, swiping the back of her hand against her damp eyes.

"Thanks," she whispers, pulling me into a tight hug. I hold her tight, her curls brushing against my shoulder.

Then, we both pull away, and Aubrey tries to regain her composure. She takes in a deep breath, once again swiping at her eyes. Then, she notices the medical box on the table. She points to it, indicating that I should take care of my injury.

"Just- give me a few minutes to pull myself together," my friend finally speaks. "But, make sure you take care of your arm."

I nod. Then, I begin walking towards the others who are all seated at the kitchen table. As I head towards them, I spare a glance in Aubrey's direction. She's retreated back into the bathroom, but the door is still open and the light is still on. By now, I'm in front of the table where a few seats are open. Wordlessly, I reach for the box to bandage my arm. Hailee beats me to it, motioning at me to take a seat. So, I do, and I let my friend disinfect my wound. The disinfectant should sting, but I hardly feel it. My mind is spinning too much. Too much has happened, and too much is at stake, including my friends.

I glance at Ingrid who has Cody standing next to her. Ash sits across from Ingrid, and I sit at her left. Hailee now places the box in it's previous position and I thank her, looking down at my bandaged arm. She smiles softly, then takes the last seat at the table. I glance back to Cody, who looks almost as shaken up as his mom. It's nice to see them again, but not like this. I thought his father would hurt them more before I arrived. I thought the worst, but who wouldn't in my situation? At least I can finally breath steadily. My heart still pounds rapidly, but for another reason; what Cody was about to say before he was interrupted. 

What would have happened if he wasn't interrupted? Would things have changed, or would it have just solidified our relationship? My heart flutters, and I can't help but smile sheepishly. Cody catches my eye and opens his mouth to speak. But, he's once again interrupted as two people run into the kitchen. Jared looks- worn, but also like he's trying to keep his composure for those around him. Eva looks almost the same as the last time I saw her, save the panic in her eyes and the bags under them. Both of there eyes shoot to me, and then to my cousin and Hailee.